Italian Chickpea Stew Food

PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN CHICKPEA SOUP)

Steps:

• Peel and small dice the onion. Mince the garlic. Chop the kale into bite-sized pieces.
• In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 to 6 minutes until the onions are just translucent. Add the garlic and tomato paste and saute for 1 minute.
• Add the vegetable broth, tomatoes and juices, chopped basil, drained and rinsed chickpeas, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, Parmesan rind (or grated Parmesan) and kosher salt. Bring it to a simmer, then cook 10 minutes on medium low.
• Add the pasta and kale and cook until pasta is just al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Taste and add fresh ground black pepper and more kosher salt to taste. Remove the Parmesan rind. If desired, garnish with torn basil leaves and Parmesan cheese shavings. The soup will continue to thicken as it cools.

ITALIAN CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Cook the potatoes in salted boiling water for 15-20 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, tip the spinach into a colander or sieve, pour boiling water over it from the kettle so the spinach wilts, then hold it under the cold tap until it's cooled down. Shake it well and leave to drain. Drain the potatoes and cut into 1cm dice.
• Heat the light olive oil in a large pan and cook the onion and garlic over a low heat for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the chillies and wine, tip in half the tomatoes and cook over a moderate heat until nearly all the wine has evaporated. Stir in the chickpeas, diced potatoes and spinach and cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the lemon juice, parsley, mint, extra virgin olive oil and remaining tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. If the stew seems a little dry, add a splash of water or vegetable stock.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to the hot oil and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add parsley and garlic; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add shredded carrot; stir often for 1 to 2 minutes. Add cubed eggplant and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour in chickpeas and tomatoes. Add broth, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Mix and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until stew has thickened and the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Add more broth if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; saute cumin seeds for 10 seconds. Add onion and garlic; saute until onion is dark brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Add coriander; cook and stir for 20 seconds.
• Mix chickpeas, water, potato, 1 teaspoon cilantro, salt, and pepper into onion mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover saucepan, and simmer until potato is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir tomato into chickpea stew; increase heat to medium and simmer until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes. Sprinkle remaining cilantro over stew.

INSTANT-POT ITALIAN CHICKPEA STEW WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Make the pesto:
• Combine the basil, oil, cheese, garlic, and pine nuts in a small food processor or blender. Pulse until a coarse paste forms, adding a tablespoon or two of water or more olive oil, if necessary to get a loose-enough consistency. Set aside 1/3 cup of pesto for this recipe; the remainder can be refrigerated in an airtight container for a week or so, or frozen for several months.
• Soak the chickpeas:
• In a large bowl, dissolve 1 tablespoon of kosher salt in the water. Add the chickpeas and soak at room temperature for 8 to 24 hours. Drain and rinse.
• Sauté the onions:
• Preheat the Instant Pot by selecting Sauté and adjust to More for high heat. Add the olive oil and heat until it shimmers. Add the onion and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion pieces separate and soften, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pressure cook:
• Add the drained chickpeas, carrots, tomatoes with their juice, stock, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Lock the lid into place. Select Manual; adjust the pressure to High and the time to 10 minutes. After cooking, naturally release the pressure for 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Unlock and remove the lid.
• Serve the chickpeas:
• Ladle the chickpeas into bowls and top each with a spoonful of pesto. Sprinkle with the cheese and serve.

PASTA E CECI (ITALIAN PASTA AND CHICKPEA STEW)

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large stock pot or Dutch oven over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened but not taking on any color, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary and red-pepper flakes, and cook 1 minute more. Season well with salt and pepper.
• Stir in the tomatoes and the chickpeas, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon or spatula and smashing about 1/2 cup of the beans.
• Add 3 cups water and bring to a boil over high. Add the pasta and simmer, stirring often to make sure nothing sticks to the bottom of the pan, until the pasta is al dente, about 10 minutes. The water will mostly be absorbed by the pasta, but if you prefer it brothier, you can add 1/2 to 1 cup water and simmer until warmed through, 1 minute more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the escarole and stir until wilted. Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly. Ladle into bowls and top with grated cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.